Latest news with #DamianCook
Malaysian Reserve
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
Ford and n+ Make eBike Commuting an Exceptionally Affordable Option for City Travel
From just $2.50 per day, less than $75 per month, commuters can own a Ford Bronco or Mustang inspired eBike. DETROIT, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ford and n+ are excited to share the launch of a new eBike financing and leasing program designed to make owning an electric bike more affordable than catching the bus or train. With options starting from just $2.50 per day (less than $75 per month), commuting on a Ford eBike is an incredibly economical choice. This initiative offers a fantastic way for people to bring the joy of a Ford Mustang or Bronco inspired eBike into their everyday lives—with one horsepower of electric boost plus throttle capabilities, making daily commutes a breeze—all at a remarkably accessible price point. As more people head back to the office, commute times are nearing pre-pandemic levels, with the average American car commuter spending about 25.4 minutes each way, which adds up to nearly 19 hours a month. Switching to a Ford eBike can help save both time and money, especially since the cost of public transport averages over $95 per month across 20 of the biggest cities in the US.1 'Our new financing program is all about making eBike ownership accessible and exciting for everyone,' said Damian Cook, Managing Director at n+, responsible for the Ford Official Licensed eBikes. 'Our eBikes are a fun and fast way to get around, and we want to make it as affordable as possible for people to commute on a Ford.' For additional information on financing options and to explore the full range of Ford eBikes, please visit or stop by your local Ford dealer. Press Contact Mark Riedymark@ 415 302 2923 1 Coast. (2023). The Cost of Commuting Around the U.S. Retrieved from
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Shows US Command Ship in Pacific Amid China Navy Challenge
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Newsweek map tracks the movement of the oldest operational United States naval ship in the South Pacific Ocean, where Chinese warships recently conducted a show of force. USS Blue Ridge, a U.S. Navy command and control ship and the flagship of the Japan-based U.S. Seventh Fleet, conducts patrols to deter aggression, the ship's public affairs office said. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China is seeking to challenge U.S. naval dominance in the Pacific Ocean with its rapidly expanding navy—the largest in the world by hull count. From mid-February to early March, it sent a three-ship naval task group to the South Pacific Ocean to circumnavigate Australia. The Chinese navy also visited Vanuatu, an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, last October, as Beijing and its rival, Washington, continue to jostle for influence in the region. Commissioned in 1970, the Blue Ridge is one of several U.S. naval vessels—including an aircraft carrier—deployed in Japan. It is equipped with high-powered computers for processing information and data, providing command and control coordination capabilities. What To Know The Blue Ridge was spotted off its home port of Yokosuka naval base in Japan on April 3. Its first port of call after leaving Japan was Cairns in northeastern Australia, where it stayed from April 16 to 20 to replenish fuel and supplies for its patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States command and control ship USS Blue Ridge transits the Coral Sea prior to a port visit to Cairns in Australia on April 16, 2025. The United States command and control ship USS Blue Ridge transits the Coral Sea prior to a port visit to Cairns in Australia on April 16, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Damian Cook/U.S. Navy Following its stop in Australia, the command ship transited eastward to New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean. It visited Nouméa—the territory's capital city—from April 26 to May 1, aiming to strengthen the alliance between the U.S. and France. After leaving port, the Blue Ridge participated in a French-led military exercise, code-named Croix du Sud, in the Coral Sea near the French territory. The multinational drill featured surface action group operations, command and control capabilities, and information sharing. The Blue Ridge continued eastward and reached Suva in Fiji on May 5, making its third port call during the patrol. The visit—concluded on May 9—demonstrated the role of the U.S.-Fiji partnership in fostering peace and security, according to the ship's public affairs office. The nearly 19,000-ton ship headed south after departing Fiji and made its first visit to New Zealand on Friday, docking in Wellington. Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, head of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said the "historic port visit" reflected the deep ties between the two countries. What People Are Saying The U.S. Seventh Fleet said: "U.S. [Seventh] Fleet staff, embarked aboard USS Blue Ridge, [command] the world's largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners." U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, said: "The U.S. and France are Pacific nations, and our navies routinely operate together to preserve a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific…The U.S. [Seventh] Fleet's participation in Croix du Sud is testament to our longstanding alliance with France and our shared commitment to advancing our combined warfighting capabilities in this theater." What Happens Next It remains to be seen where the Blue Ridge will make its next stop during its patrol, which aims to strengthen alliances and partnerships and advance operational effectiveness.
